A SHIP designed to deliver primary health care, dentistry and other services in Papua New Guinea has set sail from Newcastle. The Ruach arrived in Newcastle in February, and its crew accepted a key to the city in August. Youth With a Mission (YWAM) ship Newcastle managing director David Stephenson said the group hoped to expand medical services through the Ruach. “With such strong medical infrastructure and training services here in Australia, we have a great opportunity to collaborate with the government and people of Papua New Guinea in delivering quality health care,” Mr Stephenson said. Travelling via Townsville on its way north, the vessel is to be based in PNG until 2018, when YWAM’s services are scheduled for further development.

A SHIP designed to deliver primary health care, dentistry and other services in Papua New Guinea has set sail from Newcastle.

The Ruach arrived in Newcastle in February, and its crew accepted a key to the city in August.

Youth With a Mission (YWAM) ship Newcastle managing director David Stephenson said the group hoped to expand medical services through the Ruach.

FLYING THE FLAG: The Ruach and its crew will provide medical services including optometry and dentistry in Papua New Guinea in coming months.

“With such strong medical infrastructure and training services here in Australia, we have a great opportunity to collaborate with the government and people of Papua New Guinea in delivering quality health care,” Mr Stephenson said.

Travelling via Townsville on its way north, the vessel is to be based in PNG until 2018, when YWAM’s services are scheduled for further development.

SO LONG: The Ruach will be on assignment for the remainder of the year. Picture: Simone De Peak